Method for treating materials



Sept. 30, 1969 w, BOON METHOD FOR TREATING MATERIALS 1 v t RN E mw m mmW8 0 VM W a mm A m L s u 2 W Y 8 Filed March 30, 1966 Sept. 30, 1969 w.BOON METHOD FOR TREATING MATERIALS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 30, 1966INVENTOR WILLIAM BOON fif/nk ATTOIR NE Y.

United States Patent 3,469,931 METHOD FOR TREATING MATERIALS WilliamBoon, 215 Passaic Ave., Passaic, NJ. 07055 Filed Mar. 30, 1966, Ser. No.538,800 Int. Cl. D061. 29/00 US. Cl. 8-137 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE The present invention is broadly concerned with an improvedsystem for the handling and Wash processing of bulky materials, and ismore particularly concerned with a unique technique for treating beforeintroducing bulky materials into wash processing units, and isespecially directed to a very efficient treatment of applying theconventional soil break solution to the fabrics being processed.

The present invention is broadly concerned with an improved system forthe handling and wash processing of bulky materials. The invention ismore particularly concerned with a unique technique for treating beforeintroducing bulky materials into wash processing units, and isespecially directed to a very efficient treatment of applying the soilbreak solution to the fabrics being processed.

In accordance with a specific adaptation of the present invention, thebreak solution is applied to the fabrics by an injector before thefabrics become saturated with the main body of the washing medium, suchas water. The present invention is particularly adapted to be utilizedin processing units described in applicants U.S. Patent 3,- 208,800,issued Sept. 28, 1965, entitled, Pneumatic Conveying System for BulkyMaterials, and US. Patent 2,556,058 issued June 5, 1951, entitled,Pneumatic Conveyor Systems, which are specifically incorporated hereinby reference.

As is known in the art, there are a number of methods and techniquesused to load wash processing units with fabrics, such as the use ofslings, overhead loading hoppers, and conveyor forms of loading. Whenslings are utilized, the entire mass of fabrics is placed into the washmachine cylinder. The contents of the sling, or slings, are usuallydumped into the unit consecutively or simultaneously. Thus, a mass ofmaterial is introduced into the processing unit at approximately thesame time. This is not desirable since maximum break solution coverageefiiciency can not be obtained.

The same situation essentially exists with respect to the use of loadinghoppers, or when hand loading is utilized in which armfuls of materialare loaded into the processing unit. Thus, in present techniques knownin the art, there is not operation wherein the garments enter theprocessing machine as single pieces or a continuous stream ofessentially single pieces.

Also, in conventional techniques now utilized, after the machine isloaded the chemicals, or break solutions, are introduced or thrown in ontop of the load. The doors are then closed and the wash machine isstarted while Water is introduced into the wash machine to saturate thematerial to be washed with water.

When using these techniques the chemicals, or break 3,469,931 PatentedSept. 30, 1969 solutions, are initially mixed with the water andsubsequently mixed with the material to be cleaned. Thus, under theseconditions the relatively pure water first saturates the garments, andthen the chemicals mixed with, or dissolved in, the water contact thegarments. The chemicals, soap or washing detergents, thereafter displacethe water that has been initially absorbed. by the garment fibers. Underconventional techniques, depending on fac tors such as the type ofwashing solution utilized, the degree of penetration, and theconcentration of soil present in the fabrics, five to ten minutes willbe required to get a breaking down of the dirt and soil. The chemicalsolution must be maintained in contact with the garments for a timeperiod to complete the so-called, break operation, or breaking up of thesoil and the release of the soil from the fibers. After this has beensecured, the rinse operation or cycle may start.

In accordance with the present technique wherein the fabrics areintroduced singly or as a continuous stream, by a system described inthe above-identified patents, the fabrics are initially contacted, orsaturated, with the break solution prior to the fabrics contacting, orbeing saturated with, the main body of the washing water or solution.

In accordance with one adaptation of the present technique, material tobe processed is conveyed to air loading hoppers, or to an instant loaderunit Where the material is brought directly from the soil department tothe Wash wheel cylinders. As the material in flight moves through theconduit and approaches the Wash machine pocket, the required amount ofbreak solution or chemical is pumped into the system from a centralsupply reservoir. The con veying air rushing through the conduit willalso function to break up or atomize the chemical solution, therebytreating by coating or saturating the garments with a fine spray as thefabrics fly through the conduits in a continuous stream enroute to thewashing unit. Thus, the present system, in effect, causes the garmentsto pass through a mist or spray of the breaking solution, so as todeposit on the fabrics to be cleaned a continuous thin film of thechemical solution.

The amount of break solution utilized is timed, and is a function amongother factors of the pounds of material and type of material passingthrough and into the washing units. For example, the break solution maybe an aqueous concentrate and be fed at the rate of approximately /3 to/2 gallon of water-mixed solution, or any other desirable concentrationdepending on the type of solution used which the operator may be using.This presaturation with the break solution results in instantaneouschemical reaction between the fabrics, the chemical solution and water,and immediately functions to break the soil on the garment. Thus, theconcentrated break solution in the garments is diluted by thesubsequently added water rather than the break solution diluting thewater in the water-saturated garment when using conventional techniques.

The present technique may be utilized when using any type of breaksolution. Suitable break solutions, for example, are premixed fatty acidsoap, premixed caustic silicates, creating varying amounts of silicatealkalis, and premixed detergent. These chemicals or washing agents canbe either purchased from manufacturers or made up in operators ownplant. These concentrates are of a viscosity so as to permit theirinjection into the system as a mist or spray as hereinbefore described,and to secure maximum impregnation of the garment to be cleaned.

The process of the present invention may be readily understood by thefigures illustrating adaptations of the same.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a technique of utilizing a vibrating feeder.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the technique when utilizing a sorting consoletogether with a plurality of air head hoppers in conjunction with theprocessing units.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 1, bulky material to be processed, suchas incoming laundry, is placed on a loading or receiving table orequivalent unit 1. The incoming material may be manually dumped orplaced on unit 1 or mechanical means may be provided for delivering thematerial to this unit. Unit 1 can be a rotating or vibrating type offeeder. The laundry passes along table 1 into a receiving hopper 2 andthence into a material feed duct line 3. The material is caused to passthrough duct 3 by a flowing stream of conveying air obtained ashereinafter described.

The material is then introduced into processing units 10, 20, and 30maintained in a wash or processing room 40. Each of these processingunits preferably have a plurality of chambers through which material maybe introduced by means of doors 11 to 16. A hood element 50 moves alonga track 51 and may be placed in communication with conduit 3 by means ofconnections 4 to 8 which are integral with conduit 3. These attachmentshave suitable valve means to control the flow of air therethrough.

In the adaptation specifically illustrated in FIGURE 1, the material isconducted through conduit 3, through connection 6 and thence into hood50 and through opening 14 into processing unit 20. The conveying air isseparated from the material in machine 20 and passes through conduit 21,through blower 22 and thence into the atmosphere. A second hood orinstant loader modulus 60 is also illustrated but is not connected or incommunication with connection 7. Suitable valve means are utilized inthe ducts and in the connections so as to control the flow of conveyingair as desired. In essence, the equipment utilized is described in theaforementioned patents.

Suitable means a, 20a and 30a are adapted for the introduction of thewater or washing medium into the respective units, while means 10b, 20band 30b are adapted for the removal of the water from the respectiveunits. These means may be mounted on the units as desired, and alsomanifolded in any desirable manner.

In accordance with the presence technique, a central supply or reservoirof break solution is maintained in tank or equivalent means 70. Thissolution is moved by means of pump 71 and line 72 to injector headsolenoid valve nozzles 73 to 77 maintained in the respective connectors4 to 8. As the material flows or is air conveyed, through conduit 3 andconnector 6, sufiicient pressure is maintained on solenoid valve nozzle75 which is opened by an adequate signal under the conditions ofoperation to produce a fine spray. This mist is sprayed oversubstantially the entire area of the material in connector 6 therebytreating, coating or saturating the fabrics prior to their introductioninto processing unit 20.

As desired, the bulk material may be introduced into any of thecompartments of units 10, 20 and 30 by suitably adjusting the hoods 50and 60 and by adjusting the valves so as to cut off and initiate theflow of the conveying air stream or streams. Also, by suitable signalsany one or more of the injector head solenoid valve nozzles may beactuated to spray a mist onto said fabrics when fabrics are movingthereby into the processing compartments.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 2, the laundry is introduced by meansof a sorting console 100. This material passes over an electric piececounter 101 in order to secure an accurate tally of the material to beprocessed. The material is then conducted by a conveying air streamthrough a material duct 102 and may be introduced or segregated into anyone of head hoppers 103 to 107. Two loading moduli or loading heads 108and 109 are illustrated which may be moved from one position to anotherby means of track 110 and conventional, suitable adapters (notillustrated). The material may be introduced into any compartment of anyof the processing units 120, 130 and 140, illustrated, through openings121, 122, 131, 132 and 141. As shown the material passes through duct102 into hopper 105 and through loading modulus 109 into unit 130. Theair is separated in the hopper and withdrawn by means of conduit 133 andblower 150. Units 120, 130 and 140 are provided with means a, a and afor the introduction of water into the same, and also provided withmeans 120b, 13011, and 1401) for the removal of washing solution fromthe same.

The breaking solution is withdrawn from central supply reservoir bymeans of pump 161, and then by suitable solenoid valve injectors 162 to166 introduced into the respective head hoppers. These valves areactuated by any suitable means such as by passage of air and materialtherethrough. Here again, as the material to be processed drops throughhopper 105 into processing unit 130, the material is coated or saturatedwith a fine spray of the breaking solution prior to the material makingcontact with and being saturated with water in the processing unit.

One desirable feature of the present invention is that it is possible tohave a soaking period or reaction period for the breaking solution andthe material in the hopper before introducing the Water or soap materialinto the processing unit. For example, it may be desirable to introducefabrics into head hopper 104 and as it falls through the hopper, tospray this material with breaking solution sprayed in through solenoidvalve injector 163. This material can then be left or soaked with thebreaking solution for a predetermined time period in the hopper 104before introducing the same into process unit 120.

Thus, in essence, the present technique is concerned with a processwhereby the fabrics are intimately contacted with a spray or film of thebreaking solution as they are pneumatically moved along a conveyingsystem prior to introducing the same into the processing or washingunits. The technique of the present invention reduces the cycle timeappreciably, i.e., in the range from 10 to 25%. Furthermore, the amountof breaking solution required is appreciably reduced and it is estimatedapproximately 30%. This provides substantial savings, increases theoverall capacity of the units, and secures a more effective break of thesoil impregnated in the fabrics.

What is claimed is:

1. Process for the removal of soil from fabrics which comprises passingsaid fabrics through a spray of a concentrated chemical laundry breaksolution whereby said fabrics are treated with said concentratedsolution, and thereafter contacting said fabrics with a large volume ofwashing water, and wherein said fabrics are passed through said spray bymeans of a conveying stream of air which stream of air functions todisperse and atomize said spray of concentrated break solution.

2. Process as defined by claim 1 wherein said fabrics pass through saidspray of cleaning chemicals in tandem with respect to other fabrics, andsaid cleaning chemicals comprising fatty acid soap, caustic silicates,and detergent, and feeding said solution generally at approximately /3to /2 gallon.

3. Process for the removal of soil from fabrics which comprises passingsaid fabrics through a spray of a concentrated chemical laundry breaksolution whereby said fabrics are treated with said concentratedsolution, and thereafter contacting said fabrics with a large volume ofwashing water, and wherein said fabrics are introduced into the upperarea of a Wash zone, and wherein said 6 fabrics are passed through saidspray while being con- References Cited veyed to but before beingintroduced into said upper area, UNITED STATES PATENTS and wherein sa1dwashing water 1s malntalned 1n the lower 3,328,308 6/1967 Mackenzie areaof said wash zone.

4. Process as defined by claim 3 wherein said fabrics 5 MAYER WEINBLATTPrimary Examiner are passed through said spray of laundry break solutionby means of a conveying air stream which further atom- U5, ()1, X,R

izes and spreads the break solution. 68-18

